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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Feb 2007 : 19:29:30
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NADD PRESS RELEASE
Below is a press release issued by the Executive Committee of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development on its performance in the recently concluded elections and the future:
The Executive Committee of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development met on Saturday 10th February, 2007 to review the performance of the Alliance in the recently concluded elections and pave the way forward.
The Executive Committee recalled that the NADD came into being because of our appreciation of the fact that "no single opposition party could put an end to self perpetuating rule, given the culture of patronage, intimidation and inducement that had already taken root in the political life of the country"; that we did recognise that "empowering the people to build a durable and sustainable democracy is the only way to put an end to the self perpetuating rule of the APRC regime and prevent the possibility of the emergence of any government that would perpetuate itself in office in the future."
The Executive observed that the failure to keep NADD intact led to the creation of two alliances, one aimed at bringing about a system change while the other aimed to bring about a regime change.
In reviewing the results of the presidential election, it recalled that the UDP had 104,808 votes while NADD had 23473 votes. It observed that the votes of the UDP despite its alliance with the NRP and GPDP reduced from 149,448 to 104,808 instead of increasing to 185,000 as anticipated. This simply means that even if other parties joined the alliance after the split the UDP votes would not have increased.
In this regard the NADD Executive Committee concluded that it is the split in NADD which is responsible for the dismal results in the presidential election of the opposition. Learning from this lesson the NADD Executive argued that the opposition may experience the same dismal performance if they fail to unite during the National Assembly elections.
The Executive Committee therefore called for a tactical alliance between the opposition parties and with Independent candidates. The failure to forge a tactical alliance gave rise to the dismal results of the opposition in the National Assembly elections with the UDP claiming 4 seats, NADD 1 and the NRP none.
The Executive observed that with a tactical alliance the seats in Jokadu, Kombo South and Niamina East could have been easily won and the prospects for the opposition getting the majority in the National Assembly would have been greater.
The Executive further observed that NADD as originally constituted had 1154 votes in the Nianija by-election compared to the NRP's 693 votes in the 2007 National Assembly election; that Kemeseng under NADD had 3444 votes in the 2005 by election but had 2760 as a UDP candidate in the 2007 National Assembly elections.
That Halifa Sallah as NADD candidate in 2005 by-election had 5911 votes while scoring 4302 votes in the 2007 National Assembly election with the UDP candidate polling 1548 votes. The split is obviously a contributing factor to the results.
In Kombo East, the UDP candidate had 2814 in the 2006 National Assembly by election while NADD had 1109. The combined votes was greater than that of the APRC candidate. However in the 2007 National Assembly election the same UDP candidate had 2232 votes and lost by a majority of 3909 votes.
The NADD Executive therefore concludes that with only 58% of the voters participating in the presidential election and 41.7% participating in the National Assembly elections a vacuum exists in Gambian politics that needs to be filled. The Executive considers the filling of this vacuum as an uphill task which requires realism, perseverance and tremendous commitment to the national interest despite the fact that NADD did not put up a candidate.
The Executive Committee therefore resolves that the way forward is to call on all opposition parties to recognise the dismal performance of the opposition, restructure their political organisations and change their tactics to promote tactical alliances that can ensure the birth of a genuine multi party system which will allow the election of be the undiluted choice of the people.
To begin with itself, the Executive Committee approved the proposal of the NADD flag bearer to do away with the office of flag bearer and hold a primary election two years before the 2011 presidential election so as to give room for popular consent to determine candidature. It endorses the maintenance of a spokesperson and the effecting of structural change to accord responsibilities and functions to members of the executive in particular and all members in general to promote collective leadership.
It further resolves to introduce membership cards and membership education to build up the grassroot structures of NADD, mobilize resources and prepare the ground for its growth and development, nationally and internationally.
It envisages the holding of an annual congress to allow the grass root structures of NADD to have impact on its strategies, tactics and policies as well as their implementation.
The members of the Executive Committee expressed their resolution to go the extra mile to attain NADD's fundamental objectives regardless of the uphill task that is envisaged.
It concludes by extending its appreciation to the voters in Wuli West, in particular, for maintaining the NADD seat and the voters in all other constituencies for maintaining their confidence in NADD.
It wishes to assure them, in particular, and the people, at large, that NADD is here to stay and will rejuvenate itself to be worthy of enlisting their confidence and support.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 021/2007, 21-22 February, 2007
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